The originator of shock rock is brining his live act back on the scene in 2006, and Alice Cooper is sure to create the same frenzy that always. Cooper's past acts on stage are famous, or infamous, depending on your point of view, but one thing is indisputable is that his show is one that every member of the public remembers. Cooper is memorable as the sound of his live act, and a look at his life may help explain how his character came to be.

Biography

Vincent Damon Furnier was born in Detroit February 4, 1948. His heritage was quite interesting, because his grandfather was an ordained apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ and his father was an elder in the church. After spending the early years of his life in Detroit, the family decided to move to Phoenix, which is where Vincent spent his formative years.

Furnier enrolled at Cortez High School in Phoenix, and became known by his colleagues as a chronicler of the school newspaper. His tone was quite sarcastic in these columns, and two of his loyal readers became his closest friends of the time - Glen Buxton and Dennis Dunaway. Buxton and Dunaway would play an important role in the musical career Furnier down the road.

Furnier, Buxton and Dunaway were motivated by one thing in high school - earning the attention and adulation of female students at Cortez. Their first foray into the music world occurred during a school talent show where she donned wigs and gave a false representation of Beatles songs. Although their show was definitely amateur in nature, the group discovered that music was definitely the way to go if they wanted to be popular.

The trio was joined by another friend, Michael Bruce, and the quartet formed a band called The scissors. musical influences of the group included the Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, and especially Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds. The name of scissors did not last long, as the band soon became known as the Spider.

The Spiders released a single, "Do not Blow Your Mind," which was a hit on Radio Phoenix, and, consequently, the band once again changed its name to The Nazz and Their traveled to Hollywood to pursue larger targets. Despite years of struggle in Los Angeles, The Nazz has succeeded in opening acts for bands like The Doors and The Yardbirds. The last change came in 1968 when Todd Rundgren called his band The Nazz, Furnier and his crew forced to rename their band Alice Cooper.

Alice Cooper Days

In 1969, the band Alice Cooper released their first album, Pretties For You, which sold pretty well, but was seen as an eccentric work of the moment. One reason was the story that the legendary band is still recovering from a night of heavy drinking to record the album. This legend helped stake the general theme of madness that the band has embodied for the future.

The band Alice Cooper released a total of five albums, but disbanded in 1974. Furnier later became known as Alice Cooper, and released his first album, Welcome to My Nightmare in 1975. The album became a top ten hit, and Cooper was on his way to stardom.

Since then, Cooper has published more than 30 studio and live compilations, and has sold millions of records worldwide. The legend on stage has never waned. Although he denies biting the head of a chicken and drink his blood, the story made waves all over the world and is still being discussed in many interviews.

enormity of Cooper is certainly part of why he is known, but is also one of the best-selling artists of his time. He has always flown a bit 'under the radar, but his shock rock innovations have been admired and imitated by far the likes of Judas Priest, Kiss, Megadeth and Marilyn Manson.

One thing is clear - to see Alice Cooper is to see a show you will never forget.